Psychologist Assistant, Forensic Psychiatric Kelowna Regional Clinic - Kelowna, BC - #441391

Psychologist Assistant, Minimum and Medium Security Units

BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services

Kelowna, BC

The successful candidate will be working onsite at the Forensic Psychiatric Kelowna Regional Clinic but also assisting the Forensic Psychiatric Kamloops Regional Clinic virtually.

What Is Forensics

Forensic Psychiatric Regional Clinics and Programs are for people with a mental health and/or substance use disorder who have come into contact with the law. The courts may refer them to one of our regional clinics for assessment and treatment. We believe that people, when properly supported, have the ability to manage most aspects of their lives. We focus on people's strengths and resources instead of on symptoms and problems. They are a key member of their treatment team and an active participant in their own care. We help them get the care, support, and treatment they need.

Watch this video to learn about working with BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services!

Why the Interior

Kelowna is an amazing winter playground for snow sports enthusiasts, and an equally fantastic summer destination! Big White Ski Resort is less than an hour drive from town, and come summertime, stop at roadside fruit stands for delicious Okanagan fresh fruit, and head out for the multitude of parks and beaches along Kelowna’s shoreline.

What You’ll Do

• Administer and score self-report inventories (e.g., MMPI-2, MCMI-IV), neuropsychological screening batteries (e.g. WAIS-IV, WMS-IV), and tests (e.g. CVLT-II, WCST) by using standardized administration procedures, objective scoring procedures, and knowledge at the Undergraduate level on psychological testing within a criminal justice context.
• Provide the Forensic Psychologist with verbal and/or written descriptions of the client’s behaviour during testing by observing client’s behaviour such as his or her affect, motivation, response to failure and success, and any evidence of perceptual disturbances or bizarre behavior.
• Administer specialized forensic assessment measures as directed by the Forensic Psychologist to assist with assessing risk and treatment needs of an individual currently subject to criminal justice proceedings (i.e. Court disposition and BC Review Board hearing). Scope of assessments may include the determination of risk to reoffend, malingering and other pathological considerations relevant in the completion of a comprehensive forensic psychological assessment.
• Prepare and maintain a variety of records, reports, and charts according to established procedures by documenting test results, noting clearly any observations on clients behaviour, and working closely with Forensic Psychologist and Regional Clinic Manager/Director Rehabilitation Services,
• Participate in educational meetings, forensic psychology staff meetings, and may attend treatment team conferences.
• Participate in research activities as requested by methods such as conducting literature reviews, assisting with the preparation and submission of research applications to Research Ethics Boards, and assisting with the preparation and submission of research funding applications to funding agencies.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications

What you bring

• Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.
• Recognized training and/ or experience in administering a wide variety of psychodiagnostic tests.
• Specialized academic course and experience in forensic psychology including risk assessment and risk management for specific areas of offending (i.e. sexual assault, spousal assault and violence).
• Valid BC Drivers License. Local area travel may require the use of a personal vehicle.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the historic and ongoing impacts of settler colonialism and systemic racism on Indigenous Peoples within social and health contexts. This includes understanding how these factors contribute to current health disparities and barriers to care. Show a clear commitment to identifying, challenging, and eradicating Indigenous-specific racism and all forms of discrimination impacting equity-deserving groups within healthcare settings. This involves recognizing personal biases, institutional barriers, engaging in anti-racism education and training and advocating for systemic change.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of legislative obligations and provincial commitments within BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services contexts found in the foundational documents including Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, BC Human Rights Code, Anti-racism Data Act and how they intersect across the health care system.
  
  

Core Competencies

• Brings an understanding of the Indigenous specific racism and the broader systemic racism that exists in the colonial health care structure, and has demonstrated leadership in breaking down barriers and ensuring an environment of belonging. Embed Indigenous Cultural Safety and Humility into all aspects of work. This means creating an environment where Indigenous patients feel respected, valued, and understood. Foster trust through respectful communication, active listening, and honoring equity-deserving people's perspectives on health and wellness. Commit to ongoing education and training on Indigenous health issues, cultural safety, and DEI principles. Participate in workshops, cultural immersion experiences, and continuous professional development to stay informed and responsive to equity-deserving groups. Provide patient-centred care that respects Indigenous ways of knowing and healing, respects BIPOC experiences and world views ensuring that care plans are culturally relevant and holistic.
• Knowledge of social, economic, political and historical realities of settler colonialism on Indigenous Peoples and familiarity with addressing Indigenous-specific anti-racism, anti-racism and Indigenous Cultural Safety and foundational documents and legislative commitments (The Declaration Act, the Declaration Action Plan, TRC, IPS, Remembering Keegan, etc.).
  
  

Skills & Knowledge

• General knowledge at the Undergraduate level on psychological testing and psychopathology especially in the context of the criminal justice system.
• Demonstrated ability to relate well with others and with a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and to prioritize workload.
• Demonstrated ability to adjust to new or unexpected events, problem-solve, and effectively deal with conflict situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
• Ability to operate related equipment including basic knowledge of computer software I.e. Windows, MS Word.
• Physical ability to carry out the duties of the position.
• Demonstrates a commitment to beginning and continuing their personal learning journey related to Indigenous-specific racism and dismantling systems of oppression, as well as addressing racism more broadly. Shows willingness to articulate and share their learning experiences to contribute to a culture of motivation and inspiration among peers.
• Demonstrates foundational knowledge of the social, economic, and political realities of settler-colonialism and its impacts on Indigenous peoples and equity-deserving groups within social and health contexts. Understands the impact of social determinants of health-on-health outcomes. Shows a commitment to learning about and upholding legislative obligations and provincial commitments outlined in foundational documents such as the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan, Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study, the BC Human Rights Code, Anti-Racism Data Act, and the Distinctions Based Approach.
  
  

What We Bring

Every PHSA employee enables the best possible patient care for our patients and their families. Whether you are providing direct care, conducting research, or making it possible for others to do their work, you impact the lives of British Columbians today and in the future. That’s why we’re focused on your care too – offering health, wellness, development programs to support you – at work and at home.

• Join one of BC’s largest employers with province-wide programs, services and operations – offering vast opportunities for growth, development, and recognition programs that honour the commitment and contribution of all employees.
• Access to professional development opportunities through our in-house training programs, including +2,000 courses, such as our San’yas Indigenous Cultural Safety Training course, or Core Linx for Leadership roles.
• PHSA is a remote work friendly employer, welcoming flexible work options to support our people (eligibility may vary, depending on position).
• Access to WorkPerks, a premium discount program offering a wide range of local and national discounts on electronics, entertainment, dining, travel, wellness, apparel, and more.
  
  

Job Type: Casual

Wage: $36.59 - $45.66 per hour

2% of the straight-time hourly rate of pay for employees working in Minimum and Medium security units and community settings; 4% of the straight-time hourly rate of pay for employees working in Maximum and Multi-level security units.

Location: 1835 Gordon Dr, Kelowna, BC V1Y 3A4

Hours of Work: One day a week - 0.20FTE; Monday to Friday - 0830-1630

Requisition # 182779E

What We Do

BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services (BCMHSUS) cares for people with complex mental health and substance use challenges.

BCMHSUS program is part of the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA).

PHSA plans, manages and evaluates specialized health services with the BC health authorities to provide equitable and cost-effective health care for people throughout the province. Our values reflect our commitment to excellence and include: Respect people – Be compassionate – Dare to innovate – Cultivate partnerships – Serve with purpose.

PHSA and BCMHSUS are committed to employment equity, encouraging all qualified individuals to apply. We recognize that our ability to provide the best care for our diverse patient populations relies on a rich diversity of skills, knowledge, background and experience, and value a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment.

Learn more about PHSA and our programs: jobs.phsa.ca/programs-and-services

PHSA is committed to anti-racism and equity in our hiring and employment practices. With learning and compassion, we are addressing existing inequities and barriers throughout our systems. PHSA is seeking to create a diverse workforce and to establish an inclusive and culturally safe environment. We invite applications and enquiries from all people, particularly those belonging to the historically, systemically, and/or persistently excluded groups identified under the B.C. Human Rights Code.

One of PHSA’s North Star priorities is to eradicate Indigenous-specific racism, which includes ongoing commitments to Indigenous recruitment and employee experience as well as dismantling barriers to health care employment at every level. We welcome Indigenous individuals to apply and/or contact the Sanya’k̓ula Team (Indigenous Recruitment & Employee Experience) for support at [email protected].

Indigenous-specific anti-racism initiatives are rooted in addressing the unique forms of discrimination, historical and ongoing injustices, and exclusion faced by Indigenous peoples. These initiatives align with an Indigenous rights-based approach, recognizing the inherent rights and title of BC First Nations and self-determination of all First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. PHSA is mandated to uphold legislative obligations and provincial commitments found in the foundational documents including the Truth & Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action (2015), In Plain Sight (2020), BC's Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2019), United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Reclaiming Power and Place Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls Calls for Justice (2019), the Declaration Act Action Plan and Remembering Keegan: A First Nations Case Study.